Melbourne/Footscray

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Footscray is an inner-city suburb a few kilometres west of Melbourne's CBD.

Long a working class area due to its close proximity to the factories and warehouses of Melbourne's nearby industrial centre, it is also home to a large concentration of the city's Vietnamese population and increasingly a hub for the growing East African community, home to many immigrants from Ethiopia, Sudan and Eritrea.

Footscray is also notable as the setting of Russell Crowe's breakout 1992 film Romper Stomper, which dealt with a fictional gang of neo-nazi skinheads and their battle with the Vietnamese immigrants.

Footscray is affectionately known by some Melbourne residents as "Footsy", "Footscrazy" and "Footscary".

Footscray Station is only 3 stops from Southern Cross Station (in Melbourne's CBD) on the Werribee, Williamstown, Sunbury and Watergardens lines. If the train is not travelling via the City Loop, it is only a 6 minute train ride and most trains even run express through the station before it, South Kensington.

A wide off road bike path connects the Docklands to Footscray along Footscray Road, riders should be aware the path crosses several dangerous trucks routes, a truck last killed a rider on this route in 2010.

Forty per cent of Footscray's residents were born outside Australia, hailing from 135 countries and speaking more than 80 languages. This ethnic diversity has fostered a vital street culture like no other in Melbourne.

Visit the Footscray Community Arts Centre, for visual art exibitions, music, theatre shows or a latte on the green lawns. In summer outdoor film screenings take place on the banks of the Maribyrnong River.

A $170,000 Indigenous rock art installation broke thru the sidewalks at Footscray Mall in September 2013, if the temperature raises above 26 degrees the boulders will emit mist.

Footscray's big and crazy Snuff Puppets open their studio doors to the public with new shows every November.

Footscray Park is one of the largest and most intact examples of an Edwardian park in Australia. Located on the south bank of the Maribyrnong River.

The brand new huge Heavenly Queen Temple is located in wetlands next to the Maribyrnong River and features a 16 meter high statue. - 20 Joseph Road Footscray.

Installation art filled the streets of downtown Footscray in the summer of 2012, the local council is committed to promoting more art in the area.[1]

The St Jerome's Laneway Festival is an international music festival attended by thousands every year in Febuary. In 2013, over 10,000[2] people attended the one day event.

The Big West Festival is one of Australia's leading community based contemporary arts festivals. It takes place in Footscray and the inner West of Melbourne biennially. The next Big West Festival will be in November 2015 and 2017.

Feasting in Footscray - the annual rickshaw run, is the craziest way to sample authentic Vietnamese food and culture. 1-11 March 2013.

Maribyrnong River. is a beautiful river that borders Footscray on one side, with the other being Flemington. Accessible through Footscray Park, the river has boatside facilities where one can launch a kayak or canoe. Perfect for sunny days, picnics, bike riding and walks through the well maintained footpaths. Absolutely do not visit late at night.edit

Downtown Footscray has a great community feel, with a dozen streets filled with small businesses.

While far from being one of Melbourne's shopping destinations, Footscray houses two large markets. The Footscray Market is a fresh produce and seafood market, catering particularly to the various ethnicities and local restaurants. Another large market is Little Saigon, which opened in 1992 to cater to the growing Asian population, but now has customers from all backgrounds. Little Saigon is noisy and crowded, with a wide array of tropical fruits and Asian produce.

There are also a number of interesting shops selling traditional African clothing, art and hair products.

Like Victoria Street in Richmond, Hopkins Street running through the heart of Footscray is home to a number of very cheap Vietnamese restaurants and noodle shops.

The area centered around the Footscray Hub has become a Little Ethiopia of sorts, and Nicholson Street in particular is lined with African cafes and restaurants, mostly serving traditional Habesha cuisine (that of Ethiopia and Eritrea), characterized by stews and curries dished up on layers of flat bread called injera. Very tasty and ridiculously cheap.

Victoria St Seddon, often consider a part of Footscray, has over 5 cafes, in 2013 Common Galaxia opened and it serves Scandinavian open sandwiches on designer tables. [5]

African Town Cafe - 161 Nicholson Street - More Ethiopian cuisine, while local regulars pop in and out for a chat over excellent $2 Ethiopian coffee. All main courses $10.

Cafe Lalibela - 91 Irving Street - Probably the best Ethiopian cuisine in the area, and not a main course over $12. Served in the traditional custom of sharing, the food is poured on layers of injera (flat, sour bread) covering one big plate to be shared by all at the table.

Lentil as Anything - 233 Barkly St Footscray - A pay as you feel vegetarian restaurant. Whatever you do end up paying for your meal goes to a range of services that help new migrants, refugees, people with disabilities and the long-term unemployed.

Olympic Doughnuts - Footscray railway station - The original historic old caravan was destroyed in 2014 and replaced with a cement box, but the donuts are still the best in the world.

Ovest Pizzeria, 572 Barkly Street, West Footscray (1km west of central Footscray). Dinner Tuesday to Sunday from late January 2015, with lunch a possibility in future.. Chef Ben Sisley from St Kilda's legendary Mr Woof, partners with Alex Rogers owner of Seddon's Sourdough Kitchen. Interior designed by Architects Mike & Louisa Macleod. This Pizzeria is not connected to Footscray Hospital's Ovest cafeteria. edit

The Dancing Dog Cafe, 42 Albert Street Footscray, [11]. Footscray's only 'alternative venue'. Often hosts live music and other events. Open late at the weekendsedit

The Station Hotel[12] - 59 Napier St Footscray - Opposite the Town Hall. Casual bar, indoor and outdoor seating, coffee. One of the "Top five places to eat steak" as judged by the The Age Good Food Guide Dining Companion 2010.

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